SPORT 17 Mount Burr too strong for Robe Claims Division 2 crown in emphatic style despite shaky start T ed@setimes.com.au PORT 17 Mount Burr too strong for Robe Claims Division 2 crown in emphatic style despite shaky start T ed@setimes.com.au . . “FRED” TH 17 Mount Burr too strong for Robe Claims Division 2 crown in emphatic style despite shaky start T ed@setimes.com.au . “FRED” TH 9/217 9/217 (40 obe 7/100 (40 overs) ROBE came into this contest at a significant disadvantage due to the qualification rules which apply in the Millicent and District Cricket Association. The by-law requires players to have played a minimum of three matches in the home-and-away season in order to play finals. The seaside club has battled to field teams throughout 2014-15 and only had nine qualified and available players for Saturday’s match. The association permitted them to have two substitute fielders but they were not allowed to bat. Mount Burr won the toss and was in heaps of bother after the top three batters were dismissed for a total of 16 runs. Openers Craig Kuiper (11) and Jordan Muhovics (5) were soon back in the pavilion but it was the third wicket which really had the Robe team jumping. Before he had scored, skipper Nathan Muhovics offered a poor shot to an ordinary delivery and he was on his way. With Mount Burr on the ropes, it was Rob Francis and Mark Wright who batted them out of trouble. With judicious stroke play, they added 88 for the fourth wicket and this changed the course of the grand final. Francis (84) and Wright (33) took the team out of danger before there was a middle order collapse. However, Steven Hughes (17) and Jeremy Peters (28) took their team well past 200. No Robe bowler took more than two wickets. Facing such a large target, openers Riley Dickinson and skipper Jordan Pettit shared an opening partnership of 19. The seasiders still looked a slim chance when the scoreboard showed 2/57 but the run rate was lagging. Although five Robe players in Dickinson (15), Pettit (28), Jack Sneath (10), Nick Cane (16) and Kieran Smith (15) reached double figures, none could dominate the Mount Burr attack. When the last ball of the 40th over was bowled, Mount Burr had won by 117 runs. Peters was in the premiership team and won the association bowling aggregate while Francis was adjudged as the man-of-thematch in the grand final. LEADING WICKETKEEPER: Rendelsham’s Dwayne Gray was the MDCA’s leading wicketkeeper in 2014-15. JUNIOR AWARD: Kingston Cricket Club’s Jack Armfield (right) was presented with the Gillap Trophy for outstanding performances by junior age players, by MDCA vice-president Graeme Smith. DIVISION 2 PREMIERS: The victorious Mount Burr team (back row, from left) Jeremy Peters, Clint Bowering, Nathan Muhovics (captain), Dale Green (13th man), Tom Hales, Adam Walker, Josh Mason (12th man). Front: Rob Francis, Jordan Muhovics, Chris Kuiper, Steven Hughes and Jacob Gregory. Absent: Mark Wright. Pictures: J. L. SMITH BIG SWING: Mark Wright smashes the ball to the boundary. www.thesoutheasterntimes.com.au FORCED TO BLOCK: Rob Francis defends a low delivery in the Mount Burr v Robe Division 2 grand final. MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Mount Burr veteran, Jeremy Peters was named man-of-thematch in the Division 2 grand final. Peters also won the MDCA’s bowling aggregate for 2014-15. He is pictured with his step-son Casper. The South Eastern Times, Tuesday, March 17, 2015 - 17